Bad Breath Facts – Could Be Your Teeth and Gums

Bad breath is bad news. It’s also very preventable. Taking good care of your teeth and gums is how you do it. There are a lot of misunderstandings about how you get bad breath, and how to “fix” it. Here are some facts to set things straight.

Bad breath is something that can be as simple as having had smelly food for lunch. Ongoing bad breath, or halitosis, is more serious. It’s caused by bacteria that grows in your mouth and causes a foul odor. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, bacteria continues to grow, feeding on food left in your mouth and between your teeth. The solution to removing the bacteria is to brush and floss your teeth and gums daily. In some cases, medications can cause halitosis even if you brush and floss daily, but generally it is how well you keep up with your dental hygiene.

Did you know that mouthwash or chewing gum will not cure halitosis? They cover it up for a little while, but they don’t stop it. Mouthwash used in conjunction with brushing and flossing will help, but not removing the food in your teeth that becomes the food for the bacteria is the issue.

“I brush but it doesn’t help!” If this is the case, you have to look at how you are brushing. Are you brushing long enough? Thoroughly enough? In order to actually make sure you get all the surfaces, including your tongue, you should brush for at least 2 minutes at least twice a day. And you have to floss. Brushing alone doesn’t get the bacteria or trapped food between your teeth.

Oh, and one more. You can’t tell if you have bad breath by breathing into your hand. Did you know that you breathe differently when you speak and when you just breathe out? When you speak odors come from the back of your throat, which doesn’t happen when you simply breathe out. Another thing to remember is we all get used to our own smells, so you might not even smell your own bad breath.

If you are having issues with bad breath and can’t seem to find the answer, visit your dentist. Sometimes halitosis is a symptom of a bigger medical problem. If you’re in the Denver area, visit Makowski Dental online at http://drjimdenverdentist.com/contact-us/ for help with any bad breath issues.